Former UConn Presidents Herbst and Katsouleas deserve praise, not criticism
As a proud graduate of the University of Connecticut, I am sick and tired of reading denigrating discussions in the press regarding the last two university presidents items based on the clause in their contracts concerning returning to the faculty.
These discussions repeatedly refer to teaching and research jobs as “cushy,” and the money paid to them as a waste. These discussions reflect, in my opinion, blatant misunderstanding as to what teaching and research entail, as well as systemic anti-intellectualism. I do not see any inquisition-style analyses, examinations or complaints regarding the exorbitant contracts of many athletic coaches.
The University of Connecticut board of trustees has appointed Dr. Andrew (“Andy”) Agwunobi as the university s interim president.
Agwunobi, who also serves as CEO of UConn Health, will start his tenure as UConn s interim president on July 1. He will continue his duties leading UConn Health as he takes the reins at UConn, the state’s flagship public university. I know how much UConn means to the people of this state, Agwunobi said after the unanimous vote favoring his appointment. It s more than a university, it s an identity.
In comments before trustees unanimously appointed Agwunobi, board Chairman Dan Toscano praised Agwunobi for his stewardship of UConn Health through the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised his efforts to create a financially viable institution with at least one arm tied behind his back.”
When UConn President Thomas Katsouleas steps down in June, two years into his five-year contract, he’ll be making at least $339,000 as a professor the same amount as the highest-paid faculty member outside of UConn Health, just like his predecessor Susan Herbst.
UConn President Thomas Katsouleas resigns abruptly
The school’s 16th president reportedly clashed with the Board of Trustees.
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Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Virginia Film Festival
On Thursday, UConn announced that President Thomas Katsouleas will resign after less than two years on the job. Katsouleas will continue in his current role through June 30 before moving into a tenured faculty position. The school’s Board of Trustees will name an interim president at its next meeting on May 19.
Board of Trustees Chairman Dan Toscano received the president’s letter of resignation on Mar. 13, 2021 “for reasons we have discussed at length over time.”
University of Connecticut President Thomas Katsouleas has submitted his resignation, effective as of next month.Katsouleas, who was selected as president of UConn in February 2019, notified the school’s Board of Trustees that he will resig…